Lululemon has too much variety.
It’s no wonder you had to search out the differences between the Commission and the ABC Pant.
Not only does Lululemon have a ton of different models, but even their designs have dozens of variations—each with their own proprietary name.
It gets confusing.
But you’re in the right hands. When I go to Starbucks, I don’t play that venti grande game. I order a medium. And I’m proud of it.
Consider this article your Lululemon Rosetta Stone. Let’s decipher which pants you should get.
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Lululemon ABC Pants vs Commission Pants Overview
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|---|---|---|
| Commission Pant | ABC Pant | |
| Fabric | Warpstreme, WovenAir | Warpstreme, Utilitech |
| Fit | Chinos | 5-Pocket (like jeans) |
| Hidden Pocket | Side hip | Back pocket |
| Check Best Price | Check Best Price |
The simplest way to break down the differences between Lululemon’s ABC Pant and Commission Pant is to say this: the ABC Pant is a 5-pocket pant—like jeans. The Commission Pant has the style of a chino.
That’s really the main difference. But each model has some nuances and there are different fabric options for each, so I’ll dive deeper into that below.
ABC Pants
I picked up my ABC Pants in the Utilitech fabric. I have a pair of the ABC Joggers with Lululemon’s Warpstreme fabric, and while I love how stretchy it is, I wanted something more substantial for the ABC Pant.
And I’m glad I went with it.
The Utilitech fabric has a much more rugged feel compared to the Warpstreme fabric. It’s both thicker and has a denser weave. It’s not quite as comfortable—it’s a bit more rough to the touch.
But when you’re comparing the feel to denim jeans, it’s no comparison. You still get plenty of stretch with the Utilitech fabric, and you solve my biggest problem with all technical fabric pants—durability.
Tech fabric pants—and this is true for Warpstreme fabric, too—can snag easily. So if you brush up against a counter and there’s a burr or something sticking out on the edge, it can pull the fabric a bit. Usually it’s not too noticeable, but after a year or so, there ends up being a noticeable spot where day-to-day life takes its toll.
A lot of guys end up replacing their jeans with the Lululemon ABC Pant. While I don’t think the ABC fully replaces the look of cotton denim jeans, there’s no doubt that they’re way more comfortable. You get the 5-pocket style from the ABC, whereas the Commission is more of a chino style pant.
Commission Pants
The Commission Pants are built more like chinos, so they have a bit more of a “business casual” vibe to them.
I picked up the slim fit version, but you can also find a regular fit and there’s even a relaxed fit with a cropped inseam as well online.
I like slim fit for chinos even though I wear a straight cut regular fit for most other pants—I don’t know why, but I get car-salesman vibes from chinos that don’t have a clean, slim look to them.
Plus, with chinos, you have the option of dressing them up a bit with a pair of dress boots or loafers, so I like a slimmer leg opening.
That’s one of my favorite things about the Commission Pant. The leg opening at the bottom is quite slim (but not skinny), so I can wear a pair of Chelsea boots with these pants and my boots aren’t swimming in fabric.
If you’re looking for a chino from Lululemon, the Commission Pant is the way to go. They offer two of their more comfortable fabrics---Warpstreme and WovenAir, so these are the go-to pants if you’re heading into the office or hitting the links.
Features Face to Face
Style
There are a lot of similarities between the ABC and the Commission Pant. All of Lululemon’s pants have a modern fit and feel, so it’s not like you’re going to totally blow it buying one or the other.
To boil down the main difference: the Commission Pant is a chino. The ABC Pant is a 5-pocket pant, so it’s got a similar build as jeans do.
Both styles feature a crotch gusset, which is probably my favorite thing about Lululemon pants in general: there’s no crowding in that area. That’s a nice benefit.
I have larger thighs, so I picked up the regular straight fit in the ABC Pant, while I got the slim fit for the Commission Pant. I like a trimmer fit for my chinos than I do for my jeans, so that’s why I switched it up like that.
Fabric
You can get the ABC and the Commission in Lululemon’s popular Warpstreme fabric, but they each have an additional fabric that compliments their unique styles as well (Utilitech for the ABC, and WovenAir for the Commission).
Warpstreme fabric is a nice middle ground for pants you’d expect to wear to the office or when you’re out on the town.
I’ve tried a lot of technical fabric pants that just end up looking like workout pants or feel like those polyester pants from the ‘70s.
So while Lululemon’s Warpstreme fabric is soft, stretchy, and comfortable, it still has enough structure and texture to look professional and clean. I’m a big fan of it.
The Commission Pant also comes in WovenAir fabric, which is pretty similar to Warpstreme, but it’s much lighter and more breathable.
Personally, I didn’t want to get the WovenAir. While it’s definitely a better choice for summer, I want my chinos to have some thickness and work year round.
But if you’re looking for a pair of pants for summer and plan on doing a lot of activity in them (like playing 18 holes of golf), then the WovenAir might not be such a bad idea.
As for the ABC, I picked up their Utilitech fabric, and I’m really impressed with it. It has a rougher, more durable texture than other technical fabrics I’ve tried in the past. I don’t mean to make it sound like it’s uncomfortable—it’s super comfortable.
But in my experience with brands who opt for durability with their technical fabrics, they usually just make the fabric thicker.
The Utilitech fabric is still relatively thin, has stretch to it, but it’s a lot more rugged and durable than most other technical fabrics.
I’m happy with my choice of the Utilitech fabric for the ABC Pant. This is the closest thing to jeans that Lululemon sells.
Features
There aren’t many wild features on either of these pants—they’re pretty basic.
Of course, like all technical fabric pants, each have a hidden pocket somewhere. Honestly, I’m not sure why every modern brand is intent on putting a sneaky pocket on all their pants. I have like 15 pairs of technical fabric pants and I never use the sneaky pocket.
But if you love a sneaky pocket, well…these both have one.
The Commission Pant has its hidden pocket on the right hip. The ABC Pant has its hidden pocket in the back right.
The ABC hidden pocket has a greater risk/reward ratio. I like the back right pocket because that’s normally where my wallet goes, so having that extra security to know my wallet isn’t going to fall out is nice.
But a lot of times I want my wallet at the ready and don’t want to have to unzip a pocket to get to it. So then I reach down, clip my hangnail on the zipper and do that thing where you wince and you go tshhh, ooooo, even though it didn’t hurt that bad.
Which Is Best for You?
It comes down to this: do you like the look of jeans or chinos better?
Do you want something more casual or something that drifts into business casual?
If you want a 5-pocket pant like jeans—a great casual choice—then the clear winner is the ABC Pant.
A lot of guys end up replacing their jeans with the Lululemon ABC Pant. While I don’t think the ABC fully replaces the look of cotton denim jeans, there’s no doubt that they’re way more comfortable. You get the 5-pocket style from the ABC, whereas the Commission is more of a chino style pant.
If you want a chino-style pant that’s a match for the office (but still looks great in a casual style), then the Commission Pant is the way to go.
If you’re looking for a chino from Lululemon, the Commission Pant is the way to go. They offer two of their more comfortable fabrics---Warpstreme and WovenAir, so these are the go-to pants if you’re heading into the office or hitting the links.
As far as quality is concerned, you can’t go wrong either way.
The other consideration is fabric. If you want something summer-weight, get the WovenAir Commission.
If you want durability, the Utilitech ABC is the best choice.
FAQs
What material are Lululemon Commission Pants?
Lululemon Commission Pants are available in both the Warpstreme and WovenAir fabrics. Warpstreme is a standard technical fabric that balances comfort, stretchiness, and durability. WovenAir prioritizes lightweight breathability.
Do ABC and Commission Pants fit the same?
Yes, they generally fit the same. They may look slightly different because one is a chino style and the other is a 5-pocket style, but the fit is consistent across the two styles in my experience.
